dan_pap Reviews

The Old Man & the Gun (2018)

sundance returns

[6/10 · 13 August 2019]

"You know what I do when the door closes? I jump out the window."

This is one of those movies that isn't great. It won't leave an imprint, and you'll probably forget it soon after watching it. But for what is, during the short amount of time it takes up, it's an entertaining watch.

This is supposedly Robert Redford's last film as an actor. There are some nostalgic moments in the movie, and many themes pay tribute to some of his previous films. Redford himself plays the likable bank robber whose love interest veers him off course from his usual antics. There are plenty of old people jokes, so prepare yourself.

This isn't as good as I thought it would be, but it brings a suitable and honorable send-off to Redford's career. The film has its moments, but I wouldn't seek this one out. If you're looking for a good way to pass time, go for The Old Man & The Gun.

La La Land (2016)

should have won best picture

[8/10 · 13 August 2019]

Everything about this movie is remarkable. From opening number (probably one of my favorite scenes ever) to the final montage (again, probably one of my favorite scenes ever), La La Land is a mesmerizing story about following your dreams. The film starts with an energetic, catchy, and beautifully choreographed tune called "Another Day of Sun" which really has nothing to do with the story, but sets up the mood and the context. From there, we follow two main characters as they pursue their dreams together. For Seb, a jazz musician. For Mia, an actress.

La La Land's most notable features are the music, colors, choreography, and cinematography. The music, written by Justin Hurwitz, perfectly fits and forms the mood of every scene. I really have no complaints about any of the songs. There are so many different hues of colors, and each scene seems to have a different color scheme. I don't know too much about dancing, but to the extent of my knowledge the choreography is brilliant and entertaining (though no comparison to Gene Kelly). The cinematography strategically combines elements of both a Golden Era masterpiece and a stage play, while also providing space to showcase the colors and music.

The actors try hard, but to be honest, I personally don't like any of the actors in this. Other than my personal distaste of casting, I have no complaints of La La Land. It's a visual and musical masterpiece that I plan to watch many more times.

Inside Llewyn Davis (2013)

oscar isaac+folk music+cohen brothers

[8/10 · 13 August 2019]

Film info & reviews Play trailer Play on Prime I went into this movie blind. I knew it had a good reputation, but other than that, I knew nothing about this. The opening song really drew me in, and set this up to be a really great movie. It didn't take long for me to recognize the trademark style of the Coen brothers, which made me like it even more. I can't say enough good things about this movie. In fact, I can't really say any bad things. The entire story is entertaining and I thoroughly enjoyed every minute. The direction, the acting, the writing....everything is impeccable. I especially enjoyed the short cameos from John Goodman and F. Murray Abraham.

Despite everything great about this movie, what makes it brilliant in my book is the music. I'm like folk music as it is, and all the songs in Inside Llewyn Davis are great by any standard. I could easily listen to this album every day and still want more. As a side note, the ending nod to Bob Dylan offered quite the finish.

In short, main highlights are the acting (Isaac's talent continues to blow me away) and the music, along with a little bit of smart humor. This is highly recommended for people who love watching talent showcased on screen, because everyone involved is at their very best here.

Field of Dreams (1989)

wanna have a catch

[8/10 · 13 August 2019]

"l could've sworn it was heaven."

This one hit me right in the feels. I'd seen Field of Dreams a long time ago, but I was too young to pick up on all the references and the plain beauty of this movie. Because believe me, this is one of the most beautiful films I've ever seen.

You don't have to like baseball to enjoy Field of Dreams, but it sure helps. Unlike any other sport, baseball is surrounded by a special kind of nostalgia. "lt reminds us of all that once was good, and it could be again." Field of Dreams perfectly uses that nostalgia to create a story about a man who builds a baseball field to give people a second chance at their dreams. Shoeless Joe, a folk hero of baseball, was forbidden to play the sport until Kevin Costner built a field just for him. Obviously there's a little bit of magic involved, but what is baseball without some magic?

I figured this would be a cheesy '80's movie. Though it has some of the cheese factor, it's made too innocently not to enjoy. I can relate to every character in the story, and the ending is especially touching. Field of Dreams is a prime example of how a mere film can develop such a personal relationship with its audience. This is one of those tall tales that could have easily been a disaster, but instead turned out to be one of my all-time favorite baseball movies. Recommended for anyone reading this.

Rio Bravo (1959)

it's time for a cowboy to dream

[7/10 · 7 July 2019]

"Every man should have a little taste of power before he's through."

Rio Bravo boasts a stellar cast in John Wayne, Dean Martin, Ricky Nelson, and Angie Dickinson. It's a classic Western film that strays from themes related to the genre. Instead of the stereotypical outlaw vs. sheriff theme, Rio Bravo forces the audience to analyze each character and how their unique backstories explain their actions.

One of Rio Bravo's defining features is that, unlike other Westerns, there isn't an overwhelming protagonist. Instead, each of the characters are seen grappling with their own issues and finding their place in the story.

All four of our main characters are deputies in the town. John Wayne plays the sheriff and acts as the calm and steady voice of reason in the story. Dean Martin plays Dude, a has-been who delved into alcoholism after he was left by a woman. There's Stumpy, the crippled grandpa and a young, talented new guy. The interactions between all the other characters is quite interesting, especially the chemistry between Chance and Dude.

Methodically speaking, this is a really good movie whether you like Westerns or not. The writing is really good, and the direction especially is remarkable. Each scene is intricately set up. I want to bring special attention to the opening scene. There's no dialogue, and we don't fully find out what transpired until later. The opening scene really pulled me in, and set this up to be a really solid film.

Unfortunately, the run-time is a bit long. As the movie progresses, Feathers and Stumpy started really annoying me. There's a shootout scene that's really good, but the closing scene is anticlimactic and I wish the movie had ended better for the sake of the story.

Despite all the praise I can offer Rio Bravo, I just don't think it warrants over a 7 rating. The scenes with Feathers are too drawn out, and I think we'd have a better story if her character was removed completely. Nonetheless, this is definitely a good Western to see if you appreciate character development, dramas, and John Wayne.

Taxi Driver (1976)

good, not a masterpiece

[8/10 · 6 July 2019]

"Loneliness has followed me my whole life."

This is one of those movies that has no real plot. The story tracks Travis Bickle as he drives his taxi through New York City. As the film progresses, we learn more about Bickle and how his loneliness slowly drives him to madness.

I understand why people like this movie so much. There's nothing bad about it at all. The music and writing are incredible. Right from the get-go the music sets the mood for the rest of the film. The direction is great too, and I think a cab driving down the streets of New York provides Scorsese countless opportunities to show off. The main highlight of the film is Robert De Niro, a man born to play Travis Bickle.

Normally I like character-centered movies like this one, but Taxi Driver just never settles in for me. I don't hate the movie, but I don't love it like many folks do. I feel that the movie drags a bit. I understand that there are many meanings, some ambiguous, but I think the movie could have used a bit more psychological terror. Don't get me wrong, it has its moments (i.e. De Niro shaving his head and the hallway scene), but I was hoping for a bit more.

Again, I think this is a well-executed film, I was just hoping for it to resonate more with me. I'm gonna have to rewatch this.

Embodiment of Evil (2008)

the weakest of the trilogy

[6/10 · 6 July 2019]

"Nails grow even after death."

I wholeheartedly enjoyed the previous two installments of the Coffin Joe Trilogy, so I felt obliged to watch this one as well. The film takes place forty years after the previous one, when Coffin Joe is finally released from prison. Upon release, his goals are the same: kill petty humans and create the perfect offspring.

Even after all this time, José Mojica Marins remains true to his original films. Despite the serious gap of time between the last two films, Embodiment of Evil maintains the same style as his other ones and has a classic cult horror type of vibe. The writing is wonderfully disturbing, and this film strengthens Coffin Joe's character, something I didn't expect.

On the other hand, I feel the franchise itself was damaged with this. It relies on the success of the other two movies to drive it forward, as we see Coffin Joe repeatedly haunted by the black-and-white ghosts of his past. Embodiment of Evil hardly lives up to the mastery of the previous two installments, though it tries very hard. There's a purgatory scene that's okay, but it hardly compares to the hell scene in This Night I'll Possess Your Corpse. There's also a straight twenty minutes of torture porn which doesn't seem to fit well with the rest of the trilogy.

In comparison to the other two, this one is definitely the weakest. Embodiment of Evil has some good moments, and it's a worthwhile watch to round out the trilogy. That said, it relies too much on the grotesque and not enough on the main character that defined the originals.

Strangers on a Train (1951)

good, not my favorite hitchcock

[7/10 · 1 July 2019]

"You do my murder and I do yours."

There are a lot of things that I really enjoyed about Strangers on a Train. I really like the characters, I really like the plot, and I like the overall tone of the film. But everything falls apart at the end. Some things (the carousel scene) are too unbelievable to support the story. The suspense is okay, but the movie just ends in a hurry. Not one of my favorite Hitchcock movies, but it's good and worth watching.

A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors (1987)

the best of the sequels

[6/10 · 1 July 2019]

"This is it, Jennifer. Your big break in TV. Welcome to prime time, b****!"

The second sequel to Nightmare on Elm Street is a dramatic improvement on Freddy's Revenge. The story and premise are intriguing and it builds upon the legend of Freddy Krueger established in the first movie. The acting and writing are a little corny, but the visual effects are beyond impressive. It also features performances by a young Patricia Arquette and Laurence Fishburne (cast as "Larry"). Obviously the best scenes are with Freddy, but this is an all-around great horror movie.

A Star Is Born (2018)

beginning is great

[7/10 · 1 July 2019]

"Talent comes everywhere, but having something to say and a way to say it to have people listen to it, that's a whole other bag."

My overall opinion of A Star is Born is that it's very safe. I'd never seen the original version, but within the first ten minutes, I could literally predict the entire plot. I don't really mind predictable storylines, but for a movie that received as much hype as this one, I was hoping for something a little more.

Everything about A Star is Born is pretty much done by the book. Cooper is solid in his role as an actor and a director, though I found his Sam Elliot impersonation to be a little odd. The music is really good, and I really wish we could have heard more songs from Jackson Maine. There are plenty of celebrity cameos which make fans go berserk.

The first half of this movie is much better than the last half. I wish this film would have included time stamps, because there are a few things that are incredibly rushed between the two main characters.

I don't really have too much more to add about this one. Sam Elliot is probably the best character. Gaga is impressive, Cooper is too. I just wish the movie didn't seem so formulamatic. This doesn't really seem to be the career-marking film that this was hyped to be for anyone involved. It's good, but I've definitely seen better. I have no desire to see it again.

Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1966)

they went too far

[8/10 · 1 July 2019]

"Truth and illusion. Who knows the difference, toots?"

In this stage-to-screen adaptation, married couple Martha and George loop young couple Nick and Honey into the depths of their marital issues. The result includes fits of rage, a few bottles of alcohol, and total war.

The most notable thing in Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? is the acting. The entire cast was nominated for Oscars, both actresses winning. Elizabeth Taylor is unbelievable as the drunken wife who constantly emasculates her husband. Richard Burton doesn't fit the physical description of a "flop," but he's probably my favorite character.

The strong writing is notable as well. There are so many quotes in this film that are witty and at times downright hilarious . Richard Burton has the best lines and they're delivered perfectly ('Why, Martha, your Sunday chapel dress! Oh, that's most attractive!'). As the film goes on, the comedy becomes less sarcastic and more personal.

I found myself completely exhausted after these long two hours of drunken bickering. I really like the first half of the film, but the second half goes way too far. I do wish there was a different ending, but I can't really complain about how brilliantly everything is executed.

For 1966, this had to have been one of the most profane and vulgar movies of its time. I wouldn't consider this a favorite, but this is most definitely my type of movie. It's full of lying, backstabbing, betrayal, and bitterness. I'll probably never watch this again because of how terrible I feel for all the characters involved, but this is quite the ride.

Café Society (2016)

dreamy romance movie

[7/10 · 1 July 2019]

"Dreams are dreams."

This is the first Woody Allen film I've ever seen. Café Society is about a young New Yorker who moves to Hollywood with hopes of obtaining some of his uncle's glamor and status. He meets and falls in love with his uncle's secretary, and a love triangle soon develops.

I figured I would enjoy this movie because I was impressed by the cast on the front cover. Jesse Eisenberg is always bound to put up a good performance, and this one is no different. Kristen Stewart, despite the hate she often receives, is also very good. I don't mind her at all as an actress, and<Café Society really shines her in the best possible light (figuratively and literally speaking). In this one, she impresses me more than Eisenberg.

I can see why someone wouldn't like this movie, but it appeals to my interests. The story, characters, and script are all very poetic and quaint. The setting is amazing, and Allen succeeds in giving off a Golden Age kind of vibe. The cinematography and lighting are beautiful. They offer a dreamlike look which matches the overall theme of the film.

This is a film I'd definitely be open to watching again. It tells the story of love, lost love, and love that just isn't meant to be. Sure it's clichéd, sure it's not everyone's type, but it's entertaining through and through.

Roman Holiday (1953)

a personal favorite

[8/10 · 23 June 2019]

"Hit him again, Smithy!"

For the last few years, it's become a Valentine's Day tradition for me to watch Roman Holiday. This year it came a day late, but I've enjoyed it more with each viewing.

I don't know which I like more: the acting or the writing. The two leads are played flawlessly by Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck, two of my all-time favorites. Hepburn is charming as always and Peck is as classy as ever.

In this viewing, I paid more attention to the writing and dialogue, and some of the comedy is pure genius. The ending is different from the rest of the movie and is done in a different tone. It's not funny, yet not sad. It's not satisfying, yet not disappointing. I feel like everyone in the audience can relate to Peck, slowly walking down the Sala Grande Galleria, lost in his thoughts of what could have been. Cue the end credits.

This is just one of those rare timeless love stories that I will forever consider one of my favorites. Guaranteed to enjoy.

The Mummy (2017)

not as good as the brendan fraser ones

[6/10 · 23 June 2019]

"When one is dealing with the salvation of humanity certain sacrifices must be made."

I'm not ashamed to admit that I've always been a fan of the Mummy movies. From Boris Karloff to Brendan Fraser, something about ancient Egyptian curses makes for a great story. I wasn't expecting the Tom Cruise Mummy to be that great, but I waited a long time to watch it out of respect to the others.

As a disclaimer, this isn't a great movie at all. This is probably my second to least favorite Mummy movie, but I still had a whole lot of fun watching it. The first half is really interesting, but the movie breaks apart from there.

The cast doesn't fit well in the film. I don't mind Tom Cruise, but this just isn't his movie. Russell Crowe is especially out of place, and I don't even know why his character exists.

The comedy is okay for the most part, but again the story becomes predictable as the movie goes on. The flashbacks are my favorite parts, and there are plenty to enjoy.

This is just like the rest of the Mummy movies for me: not a good movie, but a guilty pleasure that I'll watch a few more times.

La Vie En Rose (2007)

not as good as i'd hoped

[6/10 · 23 June 2019]

La Vie en Rose is another movie that's been sitting on my shelf a while. It's a biographical film about the late great Édith Piaf. I'm familiar with Piaf's music, but I knew little else about her before watching this.

The overall structure of the film is a little wonky. At times, there are three separate storylines in progression, each taking place at a different part of Piaf's life. This makes it a tad confusing. I assume this is done to have La Vie en Rose stand out among other biopics, but it's not as effective as I think they'd hoped.

I also think there are some parts of Piaf's life that are completely glossed over (i.e. her marriages). After reading a bit more about Édith Piaf, I learned that she got addicted to morphine after surviving multiple car crashes, which are nearly forgotten. I understand why some decisions are made, but the film focuses heavily on her addiction, yet neglects to mention the core cause. Marion Cotillard won an Oscar for her role in this, becoming the first foreign actress to win Best Actress. She's unrecognizable as Édith Piaf, and I think she immerses herself into the role quite well. I don't know of Piaf's mannerisms or dialect, so I can't really judge those. As far as acting is concerned, Cotillard does well, especially in the scene with Marcel's watch.

This isn't really a movie I'd be eager to watch again. It's long, boring at times, and I've seen better biopics. I think it captures the tragedy and the sadness of Piaf's life, but mostly thanks to Cotillard. I love the music and the culture of France, but I don't find myself ever falling in love with La Vie en Rose.

American Exit (2019)

sad sad sad

[2/10 · 23 June 2019]

"Is your face a joke?"

Family movies are almost always a miss, but this one is an absolute disaster. The acting is terrible, and the story is so predictable it's not even funny. I can't think of one good thing to say about this grotesque excuse for a film. Gosh, there's not even a good character. Do yourself a favor and don't even consider this

Shakma (1990)

i like the monkey

[3/10 · 18 June 2019]

Shakma is worse than I expected it to be. Much, much worse. It's cheesier than a triple-cheese Imo's pizza. Watch adult med students play a fantasy game until they're stalked by a killer baboon. Roddy McDowall plays the students' teacher, who for some reason sponsors their sophomoric game. He goes by the alias GAME MASTER.

As sophisticated audience members, we're expected to know what the hell is going on in this little game of wizards, jewels, princesses, walkie-talkies, and demons. The premise of the game is so ridiculous, it sets the entire movie up for failure.

This isn't a long movie by any means, but it feels like three hours, and I'm not even kidding. Basically the exposition takes a half hour, then the rest of the movie is the cast running around and Shakma attacking doors. That's all you really need to know.

Shakma will require you to abandon any sense of logic. None of the characters make any sensible decisions. Apparently in a building with 7 floors, there's only one telephone. ONE TELEPHONE. Come on people, there's no way you can make this fall under the umbrella of suspension of disbelief.

There are a few instances in Shakma that are brilliant. For an entire minute, I thought this movie was going somewhere. Alas, too much cheese stole all these moments away.

So if you want to see discount Luke Skywalker chase a baboon, this is the movie for you. If you want to see sexual deviants play a dress-up game, Shakma is your go-to. If you don't want your intelligence insulted, stray far away from Shakma.

Good for a few laughs though.

Sabrina (1954)

life will always be la vie en rose

[8/10 · 18 June 2019]

"Paris isn't for changing planes. It's for changing your outlook. For throwing open the windows and letting in...letting in la vie en rose."

Sabrina has been gathering dust on my shelf for a few years now. Romantic comedies aren't really my thing, so I was in no rush to watch it. I finally decided to plug it in, and I can't believe how much I enjoyed this.

Audrey Hepburn plays her typical role of a naïve young woman who falls in love with a much more mature man. William Holden plays David, a rich playboy who's been married multiple times. Bogart plays David's brother Linus, a no-nonsense businessman who only cares about bottom lines and mergers.

This is a different kind of role for Bogart, and I really liked it. It's a lot to get used to at first, but the more familiar I got with Linus Larrabee, the more I realized Bogart actually fit the part perfectly. Audrey Hepburn is good too, though not as impressive as she was in Breakfast at Tiffany's or Roman Holiday.

About half the comedy is dated, and the other half is actually quite good. Though Sabrina this is labeled as a romantic comedy, it's really got some intense drama. Especially in the case of Linus, parts of Sabrina are really sad and there is no comic relief to ease the sadness. I wish this was written to be more of a drama because the serious moments surpass the comic moments by far.

The music is also worth noting. I typically enjoy music in classic movies, but the music in Sabrina is especially good. Though the song is used frequently, "La Vie en Rose" is one of the best songs ever written, so I can't really blame the filmmakers for including it over and over.

This is a good movie to watch for anyone. In love, out of love, looking for love, hopeless romantic, or just for fun, Sabrina won't disappoint.

Spartacus (1960)

second half is brilliant

[8/10 · 17 June 2019]

"When a free man dies, he loses the pleasure of life. A slave loses his pain. Death is the only freedom a slave knows. That's why he's not afraid of it. That's why we'll win."

Spartacus is widely considered to be one of the best epic films ever made. I had my expectations set pretty high, hoping to see some awesome battle sequences, a great script, and beautiful scenery. Throughout the start of the film (a couple scenes before the intermission), I was disappointed. Sure the movie's beautiful, but it was missing the X-factor of what makes a great movie. Things just weren't clicking. A romance was desperately trying to blossom and the story just wasn't as engaging as I'd hoped.

Eventually though, all the pieces of the story start fitting together. We start to see more of Laurence Olivier, and the romance, though cheesy, is developed more. After the intermission, Spartacus turns into an entirely different movie, with brilliant lines and breathtaking shots. I've never seen a movie do a complete 180 as dramatically as this one. I absolutely love the last half of this.

Kirk Douglas basically owns this movie, but I'm not as impressed by him as I am with the supporting cast. Laurence Olivier is terrific as Crassus and Peter Ustinov gives some great comedy that isn't cheesy or dated at all. Kirk Douglas is solid, but I feel a different actor could have given a similar if not better performance (I kept thinking Charlton Heston).

The last half of the film contains so many unbelievable shots. Kubrick does his best to convey emotion to the audience, showing the happy and the sad. Showcasing this emotion makes Spartacus over three hours long, but I think every minute of the movie counts, and I wouldn't take out anything, though the beginning scenes could be shaved.

What I found most interesting is that the overall style is a mix between the trademark style of the Golden Age era and more modern filmmaking. Spartacus has obviously influenced other great movies, and it's interesting to connect later films to Spartacus.

I loved the second half of the film, but upon second viewing, I'd skip most of the first half. It's not bad, per se, just unimpressive. To truly be taken away by the beauty of Spartacus start at the intermission.

Suspiria (1977)

impressive but disappointing

[7/10 · 13 June 2019]

"Bad luck isn't brought by broken mirrors, but by broken minds."

I have mixed feelings on Suspiria. First off, let me just say that I understand why this film is a classic and why it's largely considered to be one of the greatest horror films of all time. It's unbelievable to watch; the colors are absolutely beautiful and the camera movement is great. I really like the music too, despite the fact that it's repetitive. The dreamlike atmosphere is my favorite part, and it's probably the best way to tell the story.

There are a few things that I really don't like about Suspiria too. There's obviously the bad dubbing, but that doesn't really bother me as much. For me, the movie takes too long to really get going. I struggled to find its core purpose until over halfway through. I also feel it's anticlimactic. I think the horror elements in Suspiria are remarkable, but they're short-lived. If this was an American-made horror movie, I feel like any bit of horror would have been milked out to its fullest potential. I'm disappointed that Suspiria doesn't take advantage of the atmosphere it creates.

This is a great movie that I really need to watch again. I don't expect the remake to be as good, but I'll give it a go one of these days. The artistry in this movie makes it a must-watch, and though it's not flawless, there's a lot to be admired.

Eraserhead (1977)

want to get into david lynch? watch this first

[8/10 · 12 June 2019]

"We've got chicken tonight. Strangest damn things. They're man-made. Little damn things, smaller than my fist!"

The first time I watched Eraserhead, I felt like I wasn't in the right mindset. Everything was too abstract and I was not entertained at all. This is the second time I watched it, and I really feel no different.

I think Lynch's main purpose for making Eraserhead was to give the viewer a unique experience that no other movie can offer. Lynch uses impressive visuals and otherworldly sounds to create a dreamlike quality. The dream soon becomes a nightmare when the plot develops into a commentary about the fears of unplanned parenthood.

There are so many things happening in Eraserhead, it is hard to tell if there's a specific emotion Lynch wants the audience to feel. Some instances are straight hilarious, then five minutes later, the movie turns into pure horror. Confusion is the main thing I feel about Eraserhead.

Will I watch this again? Yeah, probably. There's so many striking visuals and scenes that could have only been contrived of either genius or drug usage. I'm still not sure if I like this film, but it's definitely an experience any film-lover should seek out.

Broken Arrow (1950)

insensitive but enjoyable

[6/10 · 12 June 2019]

"If we make peace with the Americans can we still raid the Mexicans?"

Broken Arrow is a classic Western film starring Jimmy Stewart and Jeff Chandler. Stewart plays Tom Jeffords, a former army scout who tries to make peace between the Indians and the Americans. Chandler plays the Indian chief who Jeffords must befriend in order to make peace.

I really like the way the story was told. I'm usually not a fan of voiceover narration, but I don't mind it as much in Broken Arrow. The acting is phenomenal, and I don't think any actor could have played Jeffords as effectively as Jimmy Stewart.

I understand that I'm viewing this film through a 21st century lens, but I have too many issues with some of the decisions that were made. There is an attempt at romance between Jeffords and an Indian girl that seems creepy, and I just don't buy it. Also, all the Indians were played by white actors with bronzed skin. This isn't new for classic cinema, but it takes away from the story when the entire Apache tribe speaks perfect English.

All that said, I enjoyed watching this movie, but some parts were a little corny, other parts were a little insensitive, and everything about this screams 1950. It's an enjoyable watch, but you'll only enjoy it if you consider the time period it was made.

Arctic (2018)

not bad at all

[6/10 · 10 June 2019]

"Squeeze."

This is the third Mads Mikkelsen film I've watched this week, which is completely accidental, I swear.

That being said, he's the best part of the movie, mainly because he's the only part. The entire film is about a nameless character trying to get rescued after his plane crashes in the middle of nowhere.

This isn't an enjoyable film, but it's far from bad. Considering the sparse amount of dialogue used, it's admirable that it was able to manipulate my emotions and patience. I wish there was a little bit of a backstory, but the lack of one works just fine for this viewer.

If you're into survival movies, give this one a go. If you're not, you'd best pass.

I Am Easy to Find (2019)

poetic, artistic, amazing

[9 June 2019]

"Surprised at how much others delude themselves She wonders how much she deludes herself"

I found this short to be incredibly powerful despite being a mere 20 minutes long. We watch as Alicia Vikander portrays all stages and roles in a human life as a child, mother, and grandmother. Music from The National is also featured.

Thought I'm a young male, I still found ways to connect with this. Mike Mills is trying to show that life is a journey with its own mini milestones. There's a definitive start and a definitive end. There is no such thing as a mistake, we merely keep learning and keep trying to adjust in the world. Though we may change physically, we will always be the same person. We do things out of impulse, question things, learn about other people, yet still see things through the context of our own experiences.

I intend to watch this again, and I encourage others to do the same. Spare a few minutes to watch art develop on the screen, you won't regret it.

At Eternity's Gate (2018)

artsy, long, dull, but not terrible

[6/10 · 9 June 2019]

"There's something inside me. I don't know what it is. What I see, nobody else sees and sometimes it frightens me. I think I'm losing my mind."

At Eternity's Gate is a sad and bleak biopic about Vincent van Gogh's deep dive into madness. Sharing the same title as one of his most famous paintings, director Julian Schnabel attempts to capture the true artistry of the one of the world's greatest painters.

There are quite a few things that annoyed me about this film. First off, the language bothered me. The writing isn't that great to begin with, but the accents and languages used (French/English) are inconsistent. This problem isn't unique to just this movie; dozens do it. It makes no sense for Willem Dafoe to be speaking in French, then in English, then in French again. In addition, some of the English is spoken with a heavy French accent. It's annoying and eliminates any sense of authenticity.

Also, this is one of those movies that tries too hard to be artsy. At times, I really liked some of the cinematography and style, but at other times, it's a disaster. There are many repeated lines that go on for minutes, and the redundancy kills the effect. I understand Schnabel is trying to put the audience in van Goghs perspective, but it's waaaay overdone.

The acting is a tad overdone as well. This is a two hour movie of Willem Dafoe trying way to hard for an Oscar. The film also stars a mustachioed Oscar Isaac and contains an obligatory art house appearance from Mads Mikkelsen.

Despite all my criticisms, I don't hate this movie. It's really a beautiful film, though I didn't learn too much from it. It's also very drawn out, but the scenery is worth the lenght. As a casual admirer or van Gogh's paintings, I feel this movie succeedes in doing justice to him and his work, I just can't see myself recommending it to anyone.